Works are set to commence on the Loddon River at Newstead, downstream of the Pyrenees Highway Bridge, to repair and protect a 200-metre stretch of the river damaged by floods.

According to Ms Angela Gladman, who manages the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Flood Recovery project, the floods of late 2010 and early 2011 heavily impacted this area, partially destroyed an original timber structure that was designed to reduce river bank erosion and stripped up to 2 metres of soil from the edges of the river. 

The North Central CMA have been working to design a more resilient structure using native hardwood timber poles (or piles) that will be help slow water flow in this area  and limit erosion in future flood events.   The planned pile fields provide an artificial form of flow resistance normally provided by large woody debris and vegetation in the river and on its banks.

“Revegetation is critical to the success of the pile field design. More than 6,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted as part of the repair works to provide ongoing bank stability.  The trees will be planted outside of the river channel and will not influence future flooding.

"We will also take the opportunity to establish fencing and undertake willow management works in the area,” concluded Ms Gladman.

Heavy machinery and excavators will be operating in the area from late April 2012 for a period of three weeks. 

The project is funded through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements to repair previous environmental protection works undertaken by the North Central CMA.

For further information about the project, contact Angela Gladman, North Central CMA on (03) 5440 1825.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au